Document holder

ABSTRACT

A document holder including a vertically shiftable support platform, a clamping arm overlying the platform, and springs yieldably urging the platform and arm toward each other. The clamping arm is shiftable laterally of the platform. Operator mechanism engaged by the platform when it is depressed shifts the arm laterally of the platform for insertion of a document. When the platform shifts back to its raised position the arm moves back over the platform to grip the document.

United States Patent. 1191 Warren 1 51 Mar. 12, 1974 DOCUMENT HOLDER [21] Appl. No.1 242,355

[52] US. Cl 206/74, 206/1 A, 206/40.5, 211/51, 221/293 [51] Int. Cl B65d l/34 [58] Field of Search 206/1 R, l A, 39, 40.5, 206/73, 74; 211/51, 89; 221/279, 289, 293

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 934,220 9/1909 Sayles..' 206/39 1,781,023 11/1930 Levy 206/74 x 1,373,359 3/1921 Seineckc... 206/39 774,754 11/1904 Hicks 206/39 3,185,482 5/1965 Russell 206/40.5 x

501,279 7/1893 Knight 206/39 2,056,279 lO/l936 Kulick 206/39 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 167,682 8/1921 Great Britain 206/74 Primary Examiner-George E. Lowrance Assistant ExaminerSteven E. Lipman Attorney, Agent, or FirmKolisch, Hartwell &

Dickinson [57] ABSTRACT A document holder including a vertically shiftable support platform, a clamping arm overlying the platform, and springs yieldably urging the platform and arm toward each other. The clamping arm is shiftable laterally of the platform. Operator mechanism engaged by the platform when it is depressed shifts the arm laterally of the platform for insertion-of a document. When the platform shifts back to its raised position the arm moves back over the platform to grip the document.

13 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures DOCUMENT HOLDER This invention relates to a document holder.

There are many instances in which it is desirable to have a holder into which documents may be easily inserted and removably held until a group of them has been collected. One such instance is where credit cards are used and numerous credit card receipts are kept for records. In the past, such receipts usually have been stuffed into the nearest receptacle, such as a purse, pocket, glove compartment of a car, etc. For the lack of a convenient holder for such documents, they often are lost, crumpled beyond recognition, or merely discarded.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a convenient and easily operated document holder.

Another object is to provide such a novel document holder which is economically constructed.

Yet another object is to provide such a novel document holder which will accommodate documents of various sizes.

More specifically, the invention provides a novel document holder which includes a vertically shiftable support platform and a clamping member overlying the platform. The clamping member is shiftable between a position overlying the platform, where it grips a document between it and the platform, and a position disposed laterally of the platform. Operator mechanism in the holder is operable, when the platform is depressed, to shift the clamping member laterally of the platform. With such apparatus, a document may be laid on the platform and depressed therewith. As the platform and document are depressed, the clamping member shifts laterally of the platform to allow the document to move thereunder. When the platform and document again are raised, the clamping member swings back into a position overlying the document and platform to grip and document therebetween.

Theseand other objects and advantages will become more fully apparent as the following description is read in conjunction with the drawing, therein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a document holder according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top-plan view of the document holder with portions broken away;

FIG. 3 is a right end view of the document holder as seen in FIG. 2 with a portion broken away;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 in FIG. 2 with portions broken away; and

FIG. 5 is a view taken generally along the line 5-5 in FIG. 2, with the document support platform in the holder depressed.

Referring now to the drawings, and first more specifically to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, at is indicated generally a document holder according to the invention. The holder includes an open-top container 11, having a flat base 12, a pair of elongated, opposed, upright sides l4, l6, and a pair of opposed upright end walls 18, 20. End wall is hollow, having inner and outer wall sections 20a, 20b, respectively. A substantially U-shaped cutout 22 is formed in the center of wall 18.

A rectangular document support platform 26 is disposed horizontally within the contrnes of the sides and end walls. A U-shaped cutout 28 is provided in one end of the platform adjacent cutout 22 in end wall 18. Inter posed between base 12 and platform 26 is an upwardly bowed leaf spring 30 on which the platform rests. The spring yieldably urges the platform to a raised position as shown in FIGS. l and 3.

A pair of clamping members, 34, 36, adjacent opposite edges of the platform have elongated central arm portions 34a, 36a overlying the upper, or document support, surface of the platform. Members 34, 36 are identical, as is the mechanism for operating the same; thus only member 36 and its associated operating mechanism will be described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 2, member 36 has an end 36b which is laterally offset from portion 36a. End 36b is journaled in end wall 18 laterally outwardly of platform 26. Another portion 36c of member 36 also is laterally offset from portion 36a, and is journaled in inner section 20a of end wall 20. End portion 36d of member 36,disposed between wall sections 20a, 20b, is U- shaped (see FIG. 4). The legs of portion 36d are positioned substantially vertical when portion 36a of the member rests horizontally on platform 26, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The operating mechanism for member 36 includes an operator, or actuator, bar 40 having an elongated central portion 40a. Portion 40a'is journaled adjacent one of its ends in a block 42 secured to base 12, extends substantially parallel to base 12 and side 16, and is journaled adjacent its other end in wall section 20a. End portion 40b of the bar adjacent block 42 is bent over at a substantial angle relative to portion 40a. The opposite end portion 400 of the bar (see FIGS. 2 and 4) is shaped in the form of a hook which operatively engages portion 36d of clamping member 36. With bar 40 in the position shown in solid outline in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 end portion 40b is inclined upwardly at a substantial angle from the base and hook portion 400 is horizontal.

A coiled torsion spring 46 braced at one of its ends against base 12 and against hook portion 40c at its other end, yieldably urges bar 40 to maintain the position shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. With bar 40 in this position, clamping member 36 is yieldably held in the position shown in solid outline in these figures also, with portion 36a thereof overlying the upper surface of the support platform intermediate the center and an edge of the platform.

When platform 26 is depressed, as shown in FIG. 5, portion 40b of bar 40 is engaged by the platform and is depressed therewith, swinging hook portion 40c of bar 40 and portion 36d of member 36 upwardly toward the positions shown in dot-dashed outline in FIG. 4. This results in rotation of member 36 about a pivot axis extending through portions 36b, 36c, with its central portion 36a being swung upwardly and laterally of platform 26 in a direction away from the center of the platform, to the position shown in solid outline in FIG. 5 and in dot-dashed outline in FIG. 4. When platform 26 is released, spring 30 raises it to the position shown in FIG. 3. This releases end portion 40b and allows spring 46 to rotate member 36 to clamp its central portion 36a against the top of the platform.

Operation of the holder is simple. Referring to FIG. 3, to insert a document 50in the holder, the document first is laid on platform 26, or on documents 52 which previously have been placed therein. The document and platform are depressed manually as illustrated in FIG. 5, with the operating mechanism swinging the clamping arm portions of members 34, 36 upwardly and laterally of the platform. Since the document is flexible, its edge margins pass under members 34, 36 to the position shown in FIG. 5. When the platform is released, spring raises platform 26 and springs 46 swing the clamping arm portions of members arms 34, 36 downwardly toward the platform to grip documents 50, 52 therebetween.

The advantage of such a holder should be obvious. For example, one who travels on business and keeps gasoline credit card receipts for records is provided a handy and easily operated means for retaining the same. With the holder mounted on the dash board, center console, or other conveniently reached part of the car, to place a receipt therein, the user need only generally position the receipt over the platform and quickly slap it into the holder. This can be done usually with only a brief side glance in the direction of the holder.

Although the document holder has been described in what may be referred to as an upright position, with its open side facing up, it should be understood that it is operable in practically any position.

To remove documents from the holder the user merely reaches in with one finger extending under the documents through cutout 22 in end wall 18 and grips that portion of the documents exposed by cutout 28 in the platform.

Thus, it will be seen that a document holder is provided which may be operated easily with one hand. Further, since the portions of clamping members 34, 36 which overlie the platform extend a substantial distance inwardly toward the center of platform 26, it is adapted to hold documents of various size.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described herein, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It is claimed and desired to secure by letters patent:

1. A document holder, in an upright position comprising a vertically shiftable support platform having an upper document support surface,

clamping means including a clamping portion mounted for movement between a first position overlying said surface intermediate the center and an edge of the platform and a second position spaced laterally outwardly from said first position in a direction away from the center of the platform,

biasing means yieldably urging said platform and clamping means toward each other for gripping a document therebetween, and

operator means operatively connected to said clamping means for moving the same relative to the platform from its first toward its second position simultaneous with the depression of the platform.

2. The holder of claim I, wherein said clamping portion comprises an arm mounted for swinging about an axis disposed laterally outwardly of said platform.

3. The holder of claim 2, wherein said operator means includes lever means operatively connected to said arm operable to produce swinging thereof about said axis vertically and laterally of said platform on simultaneous shifting of the latter.

4. The holder of claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring yieldably urging the platform upwardly.

5. The holder of claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring operatively connected to said clamping means and yieldably urging the same toward its first said position overlying the platform.

6. A document holder comprising a base,

a support platform mounted for shifting toward and away from said base, and having a document support surface facing away from said base,

a clamping member overlying said support surface, mounted for movement laterally of said platform,

biasing means yieldably urging the platform away from the base and yieldably urging said clamping member toward its position'overlying said support surface, and

means operatively connected to said clamping member for moving the same relative to and laterally of said platform simultaneous with the shifting of the platform toward the base.

7. The holder of claim 6, wherein said clamping member comprises an elongated arm pivotally mounted adjacent one of its ends for swinging vertically and laterally relative to the support surface of said platform.

8. The holder of claim 6, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring interposed between the base and support platform.

9. A document holder comprising a container having an open side,

means defining a document support platform mounted in said container for movement toward and away from said open side, said platform being exposed by said open side,

clamping means in said container including a clamping portion for clamping a document onto said platform, said clamping portion being mounted for movement relative to said container toward and away from said platform, and

means operatively interconnecting said platform and said clamping means for simultaneously moving the latter relative to and in a direction away from the former with movement of the former away from said open side.

10. The holder of claim 9, which further comprises biasing means yieldably urging said platform toward said open side.

1 l. The holder of claim 9, wherein said clamping portion comprises an arm mounted for swinging about an axis disposed laterally outwardly of said platform.

12. In a document holder including an opening, the combination comprising a document support platform mounted for movement toward and away from said opening,

clamping means including a clamping portion for clamping a document onto said platform, said clamping portion being mounted for movement relative to said opening toward and away from said platform, and

means operatively interconnecting said platform and clamping means for producing simultaneous movement of the latter relative to and in a direction away from the former with movement of the former away from said opening.

document therebetween, and

operator means operatively connected to said clamping means for moving the same relative to and laterally of the support platform simultaneous with depression of the platform, including an actuator which is engaged by the platform when the same is depressed. 

1. A document holder, in an upright position comprising a vertically shiftable support platform having an upper document support surface, clamping means including a clamping portion mounted for movement between a first position overlying said surface intermediate the center and an edge of the platform and a second position spaced laterally outwardly from said first position in a direction away from the center of the platform, biasing means yieldably urging said platform and clamping means toward each other for gripping a document therebetween, and operator means operatively connected to said clamping means for moving the same relative to the platform from its first toward its second position simultaneous with the depression of the platform.
 2. The holder of claim 1, wherein said clamping portion comprises an arm mounted for swinging about an axis disposed laterally outwardly of said platform.
 3. The holder of claim 2, wherein said operator means includes lever means operatively connected to said arm operable to produce swinging thereof about said axis vertically and laterally of said platform on simultaneous shifting of the latter.
 4. The holder of claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring yieldably urging the platform upwardly.
 5. The holder of claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring operatively connected to said clamping means and yieldably urging the same toward its first said position overlying the platform.
 6. A document holder comprising a base, a support platform mounted for shifting toward and away from said base, and having a document support surface facing away from said base, a clamping member overlying said support surface, mounted for movement laterally of said platform, biasing means yieldably urging the platform away from the base and yieldably urging said clamping member toward its position overlying said support surface, and means operatively connected to said clamping member for moving the same relative to and lateRally of said platform simultaneous with the shifting of the platform toward the base.
 7. The holder of claim 6, wherein said clamping member comprises an elongated arm pivotally mounted adjacent one of its ends for swinging vertically and laterally relative to the support surface of said platform.
 8. The holder of claim 6, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring interposed between the base and support platform.
 9. A document holder comprising a container having an open side, means defining a document support platform mounted in said container for movement toward and away from said open side, said platform being exposed by said open side, clamping means in said container including a clamping portion for clamping a document onto said platform, said clamping portion being mounted for movement relative to said container toward and away from said platform, and means operatively interconnecting said platform and said clamping means for simultaneously moving the latter relative to and in a direction away from the former with movement of the former away from said open side.
 10. The holder of claim 9, which further comprises biasing means yieldably urging said platform toward said open side.
 11. The holder of claim 9, wherein said clamping portion comprises an arm mounted for swinging about an axis disposed laterally outwardly of said platform.
 12. In a document holder including an opening, the combination comprising a document support platform mounted for movement toward and away from said opening, clamping means including a clamping portion for clamping a document onto said platform, said clamping portion being mounted for movement relative to said opening toward and away from said platform, and means operatively interconnecting said platform and clamping means for producing simultaneous movement of the latter relative to and in a direction away from the former with movement of the former away from said opening.
 13. A document holder, in an upright position comprising a vertically shiftable support platform having an upper document support surface, clamping means including a clamping portion overlying said surface and mounted for movement laterally thereof, biasing means yieldably urging said platform and clamping means toward each other for gripping a document therebetween, and operator means operatively connected to said clamping means for moving the same relative to and laterally of the support platform simultaneous with depression of the platform, including an actuator which is engaged by the platform when the same is depressed. 